All posts by John Lupton

Green Willow News, Upcoming Green Willow Concerts

Rory Makem (4/25/2024)

Thursday, April 25, 2024 @ 7:00 pm

Rory Makem

Blue Ball Barn
1914 West Park Drive
Alapocas Run State Park
Wilmington, Delaware 19803

Tickets:
$29 (Adult)
Students 17 & under FREE when accompanied by paying adult

Doors open at 6:30 pm.  Cash, check or credit card accepted for payment at door. Light refreshments will be available for purchase. No alcoholic beverages permitted. Ample parking available. See below for information on obtaining reserved seats for this show.

A seasoned performer with over 34 years on the road, Rory Makem has toured extensively with The Makem Brothers, and the Makem and Spain Brothers and for 17 years played guitar with his father, Tommy Makem. He has played sold-out venues, festivals, and theaters throughout the United States, Canada, England, Scotland and Ireland. At his best on stage, Rory captivates his audiences with charisma, passion for the songs, poetry, history, humor and skilled musicianship.

Read more at rorymakem.com

Reservations

We are currently not requiring advance purchase of tickets to reserve seats. You can make reservations for any of our upcoming concerts in either of the following ways:

  1. Send email to reservations@greenwillow.org, and be sure to include your name, which show(s) and how many seats you wish to reserve, and a contact email address and/or telephone number in case we need to contact you.
  2. Text or call our reservation line at (302) 598-6689. As above, be sure to include your name, which show(s) and how many seats you wish to reserve, and a contact email address and/or telephone number in case we need to contact you (especially if you leave a voicemail).

IMPORTANT: The number of reservations we receive for each concert is important information that helps us prepare and coordinate with the venue for the expected audience. If for any reason you find you will not be able to attend a concert for which you have reservations, please contact us at the email address or phone number shown above.

Green Willow News, Upcoming Green Willow Concerts

MĂĄire Ni Chatasaigh & Chris Newman (4/30/2024)

Tuesday, April 30, 2024 @ 7:00 pm

Maire & Chris
Blue Ball Barn

1914 West Park Drive
Alapocas Run State Park
Wilmington, Delaware 19803

Tickets:

$29.00 (Adult)
Students 17 & under FREE when accompanied by paying adult

Doors open at 6:30 pm.  Cash, check or credit card accepted for payment at door. Light refreshments will be available for purchase. No alcoholic beverages permitted. Ample parking available. See below for information on obtaining reserved seats for this show.

The award-winning virtuoso partnership of Chris Newman (“one of the UK’s greatest guitarists” – BBC RADIO 2) with MĂĄire Ni Chatasaigh (MOY-ra nee HA-ha-see), “the doyenne of Irish harpers” – SCOTLAND ON SUNDAY) has toured in twenty-three countries to venues ranging from the tiniest of village halls and historic European churches to palaces in Kyoto and Istanbul, London’s Barbican, Sydney Town Hall and Cologne’s Philharmonie; recorded nine CDs; and given TV and radio performances on five continents. Expect a breathtaking blend of traditional Irish music, hot jazz, bluegrass and baroque, spiced with striking new compositions and Chris’s “delightfully subversive wit”!

MĂĄire and Chris have made several appearances on our Green Willow stage over the past three decades, most recently in 2018.

Read more at maireandchris.com

Reservations

We are currently not requiring advance purchase of tickets to reserve seats. You can make reservations for any of our upcoming concerts in either of the following ways:

  • Send email to reservations@greenwillow.org, and be sure to include your name, which show(s) and how many seats you wish to reserve, and a contact email address and/or telephone number in case we need to contact you.
  • Text or call our reservation line at (302) 598-6689. As above, be sure to include your name, which show(s) and how many seats you wish to reserve, and a contact email address and/or telephone number in case we need to contact you (especially if you leave a voicemail).

IMPORTANT: The number of reservations we receive for each concert is important information that helps us prepare and coordinate with the venue for the expected audience. If for any reason you find you will not be able to attend a concert for which you have reservations, please contact us at the email address or phone number shown above.

Green Willow News, Upcoming Green Willow Concerts

Kalos (5/21/2024)

Tuesday, May 21, 2024 @ 7:00 pm

Kalos (photo by Winsome Bye)
Kalos (photo by Winsome Bye)

Blue Ball Barn

1914 West Park Drive
Alapocas Run State Park
Wilmington, Delaware 19803

Tickets:

$32.00 (Adult)
Students 17 & under FREE when accompanied by paying adult

Doors open at 6:30 pm.  Cash, check or credit card accepted for payment at door. Light refreshments will be available for purchase. No alcoholic beverages permitted. Ample parking available. See below for information on obtaining reserved seats for this show.

Kalos is made up of three innovative interpreters and composers of Celtic roots music: Eric McDonald, Ryan McKasson and Jeremiah McLane. They are masters of tradition who purposefully explore the dark corners floating on its edges, delivering an alluring musical complexity full of spontaneity and joyful exuberance. They set the standard for traditional repertoire with an underlying drive and pulse charged with rhythmic electricity and integrity, forging a new musical path that draws on Celtic, Breton, American and other musical traditions on accordion, guitar, fiddle, and vocals.

The title of their new album, Headland, which refers to a point where land meets sea, is a fitting analogy for the exploratory space Kalos inhabits — one that calls forth driving, heartfelt music journeying through unknown territory to seek and find its essence – the enduring, resilient experience of the human heart.

Read more at kalosband.com

Reservations

We are currently not requiring advance purchase of tickets to reserve seats. You can make reservations for any of our upcoming concerts in either of the following ways:

  • Send email to reservations@greenwillow.org, and be sure to include your name, which show(s) and how many seats you wish to reserve, and a contact email address and/or telephone number in case we need to contact you.
  • Text or call our reservation line at (302) 598-6689. As above, be sure to include your name, which show(s) and how many seats you wish to reserve, and a contact email address and/or telephone number in case we need to contact you (especially if you leave a voicemail).

IMPORTANT: The number of reservations we receive for each concert is important information that helps us prepare and coordinate with the venue for the expected audience. If for any reason you find you will not be able to attend a concert for which you have reservations, please contact us at the email address or phone number shown above.

Green Willow News, Recent Green Willow Concerts

Niamh Parsons & Graham Dunne (10/17/2023)

Tuesday, October 17, 2023 @ 7:00 pm

Blue Ball Barn

1914 West Park Drive
Alapocas Run State Park
Wilmington, Delaware 19803

Tickets:
$29.00 (Adult)
Students 17 & under FREE when accompanied by paying adult

Doors open at 6:30 pm.  Cash, check or credit card accepted for payment at door. Light refreshments will be available for purchase. No alcoholic beverages permitted. Ample parking available. See below for information on obtaining reserved seats for this show.

Niamh Parsons (pron. ‘Neeve’) has come to be known as one of the most distinctive voices in Irish music. Her voice has drawn comparisons to such venerated singers as Dolores Keane, June Tabor and Sandy Denny. The great Scottish balladeer Archie Fisher said of Niamh, ‘a songstress like her comes along once or twice in a generation.’

It has been said that while Niamh may not be the most famous Irish Balladeer, many feel she’s the best. Described in the Boston Herald as both emotionally haunting and tonally as clear as crystal, Niamh’s albums have been ‘must-have’ collector’s items for any lover of songs and singing. With 8 CDs to her name, Niamh has gathered a body of songs from many sources, both traditional and modern songwriters.

Born in Dublin, Ireland, in 1974, Graham Dunne is a multi-talented and very versatile musician. Until very recently, Graham spent a great number of years living in County Clare and while there, was very much involved in the Irish Traditional music scene, having had the pleasure of accompanying a vast array of wonderfully talented local musicians during that time.

As a professional, Graham began working with SĂ©an Tyrrell for a year back in 1998, before embarking on a career as the main accompanist to acclaimed Irish folk singer, Niamh Parsons, in 1999. Through playing with Niamh, he has been lucky enough to play with and tour with the likes of Andy Irvine, Liz Carroll, Paddy Keenan, Tommy Peoples, Dick Gaughan, Ron Kavana, and Dennis Cahill amongst others.

Read more at niamhparsonsandgrahamdunne.ie

Reservations

We are currently not requiring advance purchase of tickets to reserve seats. You can make reservations for any of our upcoming concerts in either of the following ways:

  1. Send email to reservations@greenwillow.org, and be sure to include your name, which show(s) and how many seats you wish to reserve, and a contact email address and/or telephone number in case we need to contact you.

  2. Text or call our reservation line at (302) 635-4736. As above, be sure to include your name, which show(s) and how many seats you wish to reserve, and a contact email address and/or telephone number in case we need to contact you (especially if you leave a voicemail).

IMPORTANT: The number of reservations we receive for each concert is important information that helps us prepare and coordinate with the venue for the expected audience. If for any reason you find you will not be able to attend a concert for which you have reservations, please contact us at the email address or phone number shown above.

Green Willow News, Recent Green Willow Concerts

Jim & Susie Malcolm (10/26/2023)

Thursday, October 26, 2023 @ 7:00 pm

Blue Ball Barn

1914 West Park Drive
Alapocas Run State Park
Wilmington, Delaware 19803

Tickets:
$29.00 (Adult)
Students 17 & under FREE when accompanied by paying adult

Doors open at 6:30 pm.  Cash, check or credit card accepted for payment at door. Light refreshments will be available for purchase. No alcoholic beverages permitted. Ample parking available. See below for information on obtaining reserved seats for this show.

Jim Malcolm is the ultimate Scots troubadour. Travelling the world with his guitar, harmonicas, and engaging wit, he sings the traditional songs of Scotland and his own masterfully crafted songs in a style which is modern and accessible, yet utterly authentic. He is highly regarded as an interpreter of the songs of Robert Burns, and has been described as “one of the finest singers in Scotland in any style”.

At Green Willow, we first came to know Jim during his years as guitarist and lead vocalist with the iconic traditional Scots band Old Blind Dogs, appearing on our stage with them several times in the late 1990s and early 2000s. Since embarking on his solo career we have been pleased to continue presenting Jim to our audiences, most recently in 2019, and we are thrilled that on this tour he is joined by his wife Susie Malcolm, herself a noted singer of traditional and modern Scots ballads.

Read more at jimmalcolm.com

Reservations

We are currently not requiring advance purchase of tickets to reserve seats. You can make reservations for any of our upcoming concerts in either of the following ways:

  1. Send email to reservations@greenwillow.org, and be sure to include your name, which show(s) and how many seats you wish to reserve, and a contact email address and/or telephone number in case we need to contact you.

  2. Text or call our reservation line at (302) 635-4736. As above, be sure to include your name, which show(s) and how many seats you wish to reserve, and a contact email address and/or telephone number in case we need to contact you (especially if you leave a voicemail).

IMPORTANT: The number of reservations we receive for each concert is important information that helps us prepare and coordinate with the venue for the expected audience. If for any reason you find you will not be able to attend a concert for which you have reservations, please contact us at the email address or phone number shown above.

Green Willow News, Recent Green Willow Concerts

Alan Reid (4/27/2023)

Thursday, April 27, 2023 @ 7:00 pm

Lower Brandywine Presbyterian Church
101 Old Kennett Road
Wilmington, Delaware 19807

Advanced Reserved Tickets: $27.00
Tickets Purchased at Door: $29.00
17 & under: FREE when accompanied by paying adult

Doors open at 6:30 pm.  Cash, check or credit card accepted for payment at door. Light refreshments will be available for purchase. No alcoholic beverages permitted. Ample parking available. See below for information on obtaining reserved seats for this show.

Alan Reid

Glasgow-born Alan Reid has been taking Scottish folk music all over the world since 1975. He joined the fledgling Battlefield Band in 1969 while studying at Strathclyde University and subsequently recorded almost 30 albums with this hard-working and enduring band, in that time garnering a reputation for his playing and his singing.  His groundbreaking keyboard work helped cement the band’s reputation as one of the most influential Celtic bands of its generation. With the band Alan toured the world, bringing Scottish traditional music to audiences in five continents and playing in many prestigious music festivals and venues. Along with former Battlefield Band colleagues he was inducted into the Scottish Traditional Music Hall of Fame in November 2016 in recognition of their contribution to Scots traditional music.

​He began composing songs and tunes in the 1980s and from 1990 was the band’s principal songwriter. His songs are noted for their strong storytelling element whilst being firmly grounded in Scots history and tradition. His songbook ”Martyrs, Rogues and Worthies”, was published in 2001 and in 2009 he was nominated in the ‘Composer of the Year’ category at the Scots Traditional Music Awards. 

In recent years Alan has taught Scots Song at the prestigious annual “Swannanoa Gathering” in North Carolina, USA. He was also a guest artist in the Linn Records mammoth 12 CD recording of the songs of Robert Burns, Scotland’s beloved National Poet, whose poems, songs and music have endured over the centuries.

For more about Alan, visit https://www.alansongsreid.com

Advanced/Reserved Seating

To obtain advanced, reserved seats for this show we ask that you make advance payment in one of the following ways:

By check – mail a check for the amount of your ticket purchase ($27.00 per adult ticket) to us at Green Willow Folk Club, PO Box 350, Rockland DE 19732-0350. Please make checks payable to “Green Willow”. We recommend you include a note verifying the number of tickets you wish to purchase as well as a contact phone number and/or email address in case we need to conform any information with you. We will also use this contact info to confirm your reservation and purchase. We ask that you make sure your check arrives at our PO box no later than Monday, April 24, 2023.

By PayPal – send us payment for your reservations via PayPal. The best way to identify us on PayPal is via our email address reservations@greenwillow.org. Please include a note with your electronic payment confirming the number of tickets you are purchasing ($27.00 per adult ticket).

For questions and/or clarifications, please feel free to contact us at (610) 566-4932 or info@greenwillow.org.

Green Willow News

Tommy Sands (& Lisa Gutkin!)

Hello Friends,

A reminder that we will be presenting Tommy Sands tomorrow evening at 7:30 pm at the Blue Ball Barn – our first concert since February, 2020.

And, if Tommy isn’t enough of an attraction as it is, we learned this week that he is being joined on this tour by the fabulous fiddler Lisa Gutkin, whom no doubt many of you recall from previous appearances with us.

We have closed advance reservations for this show (and thanks to all who reserved), but there will be seats available at the door for $28.00.

For full info, visit:

https://www.greenwillow.org/2022/09/20/tommy-sands-10-27-2022/

We look forward to communing with you again,

Cheers,

Green Willow

Recent Green Willow Concerts

Tommy Sands (10/27/2022)

Thursday, October 27, 2022 @ 7:30pm

Blue Ball Barn

1914 West Park Drive, Alapocas Run State Park, Wilmington, Delaware

Advanced Reserved Tickets: $26.00
Tickets Purchased at Door: $28.00
17 & under: FREE when accompanied by paying adult

Doors open at 6:30 pm.  Cash, check or credit card accepted for payment at door. Light refreshments will be available for purchase. The Blue Ball Barn is a Delaware State Parks system facility. Park entrance fees will not be in force during the concert. Ample free parking is available at the venue. No alcoholic beverages will be permitted.

Tommy Sands

Tommy Sands, County Down’s singer, songwriter and social activist has achieved something akin to legendary status in his own lifetime.

From the pioneering days with the highly influential Sands Family, bringing Irish Music from New York’s Carnegie Hall to Moscow’s Olympic Stadium, he has developed into one of the most powerful songwriters and enchanting solo performers in Ireland today.

His songwriting, which draws the admiration of Nobel Poet Laureate Seamus Heaney and father of folk music Pete Seeger, prompts respected US magazine Sing Out! to regard him as “the most powerful songwriter in Ireland, if not the rest of the world”.

His songs, like “There were Roses”, and “Daughters and Sons”, which have been recorded by Joan Baez, Kathy Matthea, Dolores Keane, Sean Keane, Frank Patterson, Dick Gaughan, The Dubliners and many others have been translated into many languages and are currently included in the English language syllabus in German secondary schools.

In May 2002 Tommy Sands received an honorary doctorate of Letters from The University of Nevada for his outstanding work as musician and ambassador for peace and understanding and, May 18th was pronounced “Tommy Sands Day in Reno”.

“The gentle songs of a gentle man, ringing out above the tumult and the shouting. . . Through people like Tommy Sands there will be an answer. . .”
BELFAST TELEGRAPH

“Tommy Sands has achieved that difficult but wonderful balance between knowing and loving the traditions of his home and being concerned with the future of the whole world. . .”
PETE SEEGER

Recent Green Willow Concerts

HighTime (2/20/2020)

Thursday, February 20, 2020 7:30 pm

Blue Ball Barn
1914 West Park Drive
(Alapocas Run State Park)
Wilmington, Delaware 19803

Tickets:
Adult – Advance: $23.00
Adult – Door: $27.00
17 & Under: FREE when accompanied by Adult

Advance sales for this concert have ended. However, tickets will be available at the door for $27.00

Doors open at 6:30 pm.  Cash, check or credit card accepted for payment at door. Light refreshments will be available for purchase. The Blue Ball Barn is a Delaware State Parks system facility. Park entrance fees will not be in force during the concert. No alcoholic beverages will be permitted.

HighTime are an accomplished trio from the heart of Connemara on the West Coast of Ireland. Combining Irish music with an intriguing blend of modern folk influences, they produce a rich and unique sound and an electric energy onstage. This coupled with intricate three-part vocal harmonies and displays of exceptional, rhythmic step dance, have left audiences worldwide awestruck by their performances.

Hailing from the village of Ardmore on the rugged West Coast, CiarĂĄn Bolger and SĂ©amus Ó Flatharta have been immersed in the richest of Irish Culture from a very young age. Having been raised with the Irish Gaelic language as their mother-tongue in an area steeped in the Irish tradition, their knowledge, respect and appreciation of their heritage stands indisputable. Michael Coult, who grew up surrounded by some of the finest traditional musicians in the Irish diaspora of Manchester, completes the trio. A master in his field, Michael captivates audiences with his musical prowess and knowledge of his craft. HighTime have accumulated countless awards over the years, both individually and as a group.

(Video) HighTime – “The Village of Cloch Bui”

Featuring a distinctive line up of Celtic Harp, Flute, Guitar, BodhrĂĄn, Whistles and Vocals, HighTime make a youthful and energetic statement. The past two years have seen them travel extensively, performing in concert tours across the globe. The band has continued to make waves on the music scene to date. This saw them develop a very loyal following far and wide.

HighTime play with a breath-taking passion and zeal that is both effortless and drivingly soulful. Neighbours, CiarĂĄn and SĂ©amus alongside their great friend, Michael, have a unique and dynamic musical connection, through many years of performing individually and together. Their camaraderie is apparent in their performances and permeates every venue they step foot in, resulting in genuine and mutual elation in both HighTime and their audiences.

www.hightime.ie

Blast From The Past, Green Willow News, Video

Jim Malcolm – “Suzi Wollenberg” (3/21/2019)

Following the sudden passing of longtime Green Willow president and artistic director Suzi Wollenberg in August, 2009, Jim Malcolm wrote a tribute to her which he recorded on his 2011 album Sparkling Flash. Jim performs the song here as part of his appearance for us at the Blue Ball Barn in Wilmington, Delaware on March 21, 2019.


Please consider a donation to Green Willow (a non-profit 501(c)3 organization)

Blast From The Past, Green Willow News

Blast From The Past – Kevin Burke (April 21, 2003)

With the approach of our show on April 25 featuring the legendary Kevin Burke, it’s time for another “Blast From The Past” from the Green Willow archives.

Following the closure of O’Friel’s Irish Pub in Wilmington in 2001, where we held our concerts for several years, we were forced to scramble among a number of small venues to hold shows. In 2003 and 2004 we held four concerts at the Buzz Ware Center in Arden, Delaware. The first of these was on April 21, 2003 when we featured Kevin in a solo performance that is to date – as near as we can tell from past records – the only time he has appeared for Green Willow. We’ve reached into the photo archive for a few shots taken at that show by current Green Willow president John Lupton.

Kevin Burke at Buzz Ware Center – 4/21/2003 (Photo by John Lupton)

It has been far too long since we’ve had the opportunity to present this master fiddler, storyteller and showman. If you don’t already have your ticket(s), you can get them directly online (with and advance discount) at burke2019.brownpapertickets.com. For more details on the show, visit greenwillow.org, send email to info@greenwillow.org, or call (610) 566-4932.

Kevin Burke at Buzz Ware Center – 4/21/2003 (Photo by John Lupton)
Recent Green Willow Concerts

Blast From The Past – Jim Malcolm (November 4, 2005)

As we prepare to welcome Jim Malcolm back to our stage on Thursday, March 21 at the Blue Ball Barn (tickets are still available!), we thought it would be fun to dive into the archives and look back to one of Jim’s previous appearances with us.

We first met Jim in the late 1990’s when he replaced Ian F. Benzie as lead vocalist for the Old Blind Dogs and made several appearances with them for us during the years we held our concerts at O’Friel’s Irish Pub on Delaware Avenue in Wilmington, Delaware. In 2002, Jim left the Dogs to pursue his solo career, appearing for us on his own for the first time at the Buzz Ware Center in Arden, Delaware in October of 2003.

From May, 2004 through March, 2006 we held most of our concerts at the 4W5 Cafe, which was located at 4 West 5th Street in Wilmington (hence the name), at the corner of 5th and Market Streets. (Sadly, the venue is no longer in existence). The photos in this post feature Jim’s performance there on November 4, 2005.

Jim Malcolm, at Green Willow – 11/4/2005

Jim has returned to our stage several more times over the years, and each time he continues to charm us with his music, stories, good nature and good humor. Whether he is to you an old friend – as he is to us – or a new face, we hope you’ll come out on March 21 to join in the fun. Visit greenwillow.org, send email to info@greenwillow.org, or call (610) 566 4932 for more details.

Jim Malcolm at Green Willow – 11/4/2005
Recent Green Willow Concerts

Jez Lowe & James Keelaghan (9/27/2018)

Thursday, September 27, 2018 – 7:30 pm

Jez Lowe & James Keelaghan

Blue Ball Barn

1914 West Park Drive (Alapocas Run State Park), Wilmington, Delaware

Tickets:

$24.00 Advance Online
$28.00 at Door
Age 17 & under FREE when accompanied by a paying adult

Tickets go on sale Monday, April 2,  2018 Doors open at 7:00 pm.

DISCOUNTED ADVANCE ONLINE TICKET SALES WILL END AT 7:30 AM ON THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 27. HOWEVER, TICKETS WILL STILL BE AVAILABLE FOR SALE AT THE DOOR.

Cash, check or credit card accepted for payment at door.

Two songwriters emerged on to the international acoustic music touring circuit in the late 1990s who, despite their different backgrounds and places of origin, have established a musical relationship that has lasted more than twenty years.

James Keelaghan comes from Alberta, Canada, and has established himself the world over as a writer and performer of considerable skill. Jez Lowe is from County Durham in North East England, and is widely acknowledged as something of a national treasure on the UK folk circuit and beyond. How these two men have come to tour together, sing together and even write together, is a remarkable testament to their shared experience and mutual admiration and empathy.

James and Jez began their partnership somewhat casually, when they found themselves on the same touring circuit of Australian folk festivals back in 1997. Their first formal tour together took place in 2001, a month-long haul across America and Canada. It is a partnership which has continued sporadically ever since, most recently when they were joined by Archie Fisher for the “Men At Words” tour in 2015.

This year sees them back playing as a duo in the States and Canada once again.

www.jezlowe.com

www.keelaghan.com